Today, less than one tenth of the original (pre-European settlement) forests remain in Illinois. Fortunately, in the early to mid-1900s, the trend toward loss of forests slowed and forests began to increase in most of the state. In the mid-twentieth century, concerned people created conservation groups to save forests.

This
Conservation section is about efforts to retain and preserve forested
lands in Illinois. It includes information on four forested areas
accessible to the public. It also describes the challenges associated with: